Both the River Falls Teachers and Bus Drivers have reached agreement on a 2017-18 base wage agreement. As certified units, negotiations teams met with district representatives in order to bargain a settlement acceptable to members.

Holmen Education Association has had a busy year of successful endeavors. Among other things, it sponsored an event at the American Legion, adopted a portion of the Halfway Creek Trail, designed a new HEA logo, and hosted WEAC President Ron Martin for Read Across America.

Kenosha teachers and their supporters will be back at the School Board meeting this month, again asking board members to increase prep time so that teachers can fully meet the needs of their students. In March, dozens of teachers and supporters packed the board meeting to shine a light on the issue, with several teachers taking to the podium to explain the importance of prep time in helping teachers provide quality education for all students.

The Kenosha Education Association is always looking for ways to provide opportunities to both educators and students that make them feel appreciated for who they are and prepared to take on challenges they face in and outside of the classroom. With a sudden increase of bullying incidents at some of the schools, KEA recognized there was a need to educate its members about how to keep their classrooms a safe and inclusive space for their students. As a result, KEA collaborated with GSAFE Wisconsin, an organization whose mission is to create just schools for LGBTQ+ youth in Wisconsin, to host an exclusive, members only workshop to help attendees learn how to navigate an oftentimes sensitive topic.

Over 150 Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association educators, parents, students, and local artists joined together for a recent weekend making art to support the fully funded public schools all our children deserve. An incredible collection of handcrafted banners, posters, and other art pieces were created to use in actions for fair funding for public schools and racial justice.

On January 11, 2017, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association President Kim Schroeder awarded educators at Green Bay Avenue School with the Sid Hatch Outstanding School Leader award for their advocacy on behalf of MPS students!

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Wisconsin High School Teacher of the Year – and WEAC Region 7 member – Sarahí Monterrey joined dozens of other state teachers of the year and hundreds of NEA members last weekend for the “Teach-In for Freedom,” an all-day event organized by Teachers Against Child Detention (TACD) to protest the inhumane detention of children at the Mexican border and the criminalization of immigrant families. “The Teach-In in El Paso was a powerful experience because teachers were united to be a voice for the over 10,000 children who are in detention centers across our country,” Monterrey told weac.org. “This was not a protest but rather an opportunity to educate the public about immigration policies and the effects of these policies on children.”

The GOP tax bill has made its way to Governor Tony Evers’ desk, but is drawing opposition from the governor and others. Also, Governor Evers this week unveiled a plan for $70 million in clean water initiatives and another plan to ensure access to dental health care. It’s expected that we’ll hear more about his health care plans next week, and other bits and pieces of the budget he’ll hint to leading up to the budget unveiling on February 28. You can expect the budget rollout to last a few weeks into March – so stay tuned for opportunities to turn out to support public school funding as the governor makes the rounds across Wisconsin. We’ll likely also see some more listening sessions, in addition to the Joint Finance Committee hearings.

The D.C. Everest Teachers’ Association has shaken up the status quo and is focusing on a new set of “clear directions and goals.” That’s what DCETA leaders told WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen for her latest Spotlight on Locals column. “We ask our colleagues to become a part of something,” said DCETA President Marie Wardall. “We show our members and our potential members our list of accomplishments, and we demonstrate why union membership matters to them.”

Waupun fifth-grade teacher Kathy Calder, a WEAC Region 5 member, believes business education should not be reserved just for older students. “An introduction to entrepreneurship at a young age will help students understand how to start a business and possibly spark an interest in future business ownership,” she says in an article in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen and WISC News.

The Watertown School District is recognizing WEAC members Pam and Tim Suski for their work with the “Discipline with Dignity” program that has demonstrated success through compassion and high expectations. “We want to provide positive support and high expectations for both academics and behavior,” the Suskis say. “Through this program we show that we believe in them and expect excellent behavior — because they are capable of it.”

Congratulations to Shorewood teacher Angela Hayes, the latest winner of our WEAC Badger Red for Public Ed promotion! The honor goes to WEAC members in appreciation for their dedication to students. Recipients are treated to a UW Badger athletic event. Angela will get VIP treatment at the February 18 UW Badger basketball game against Illinois at the Kohl Center in Madison.